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The best kind of cooking often doesn’t involve much cooking at all. Enter: nature’s candy — fresh, vibrant fruit. These six refreshing recipes are here to keep you cool, hydrated and delighted.
When the summer sun is blazing and the air thickens my favorite “recipe” is as simple as it gets: slice open a ripe melon and grab a spoon. Though when you’re craving something a little more creative these hydrating, fruit-forward recipes are healthy, no-fuss, and bursting with flavor.
Whether you’re entertaining friends on the patio or preparing a lunch for one, there’s nothing quite like juicy fruit to help you cool down and feel nourished. These summer recipes celebrate nature’s sweetest bounty with ease, without sacrificing elegance.
So, pour yourself a glass of something cold, and get ready to serve up a splash of sunshine with this lineup of my fruity favorites.
Watermelon Salad
Cool, crisp, and utterly refreshing — this salad is what happens when watermelon gets a glow-up with mint, lime and a little savory flair.
Serves 6
4 cups watermelon, cubed
2 cups English cucumber, diced
½ red onion, thinly sliced
10-15 mint leaves, chopped
10-15 basil leaves, chopped
½ cup vegan feta crumbled
3 tablespoons lime juice
1 clove garlic, finely minced
Add all the ingredients to a large serving bowl or platter, toss to combine and serve.
Mango Pico de Gallo
A tropical twist on a classic! This zesty salsa brings the sweet heat — perfect with chips, on tacos, or by the spoonful (we won’t tell).
Serves 4
2 cups fresh mango, diced
2 cups tomato, diced
1 cup onion, diced
¼ cup lime juice
2 teaspoons garlic, minced
2 teaspoons jalapeno, minced
½ cup cilantro, diced
1 teaspoon salt-free seasoning
Add all the ingredients to a bowl and toss together. Leave at room temperature for 1 hour before serving.
Sinless Summer Fruit Tart
A crunchy base, creamy filling and rainbow of fresh fruit make this dessert a showstopper at any summer gathering. Use your creativity to turn this tart into a fruity masterpiece.
Serves 8
Crust
1½ cups dates, pitted
2 cups pecans (or nuts of your choice)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Filling
2 cups raw cashews, soaked in hot water for 20 minutes and drained
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon orange zest
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon orange juice
2 tablespoons maple or date syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Toppings
Your choice of berries, mangos, kiwis, peaches, sliced
Make the crust by adding the dates, nuts and cinnamon to a food processor fitted with the “S” blade and process until well combined. Press the dough into a fluted tart pan, covering the base and the sides evenly. Make the filling by adding all the ingredients to a high-speed blender and blending until smooth and creamy. Pour the filling into the crust and then decorate with the fresh fruit, and place the tart in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Very Berry Cherry Chia Pudding
Chia seeds are a powerhouse ingredient packed with protein, fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Paired with antioxidant-rich berries, this pudding is super healthy and perfect for breakfast, snack or dessert.
Serves 4
2 cups unsweetened almond or oat milk
½ cup chia seeds
½ cup blueberries
½ cup strawberries, sliced
½ cup cherries, pitted
2 tablespoons maple syrup or date syrup
Topping
2 large strawberries, sliced
¼ cup fresh blueberries
Divide the ingredients between 4 wide mouth mason jars, screw on the lids and give each jar a good shake. Place in the refrigerator overnight. Serve with fresh berries on top.
Acai or Pitaya Bowl
It does not get any better than this, smoothie bowls topped with fresh fruit, crunchy granola, seeds and a drizzle of nut butter. Pitaya is just another name for dragon fruit, and the pink color is gorgeous. You can buy frozen packs of acai and pitaya in the freezer section of most grocery stores.
Serves 2
4 frozen ripe bananas
2 (3.5-ounce) packets of frozen Pitaya or Açaí
Toppings
2 tablespoons hemp seeds
2 tablespoons chia seeds
½ cup granola
Blueberries, strawberries, mango, banana
2 tablespoons almond or peanut butter
Add the frozen bananas and Pitaya or Açaí to a high-speed blender and blend until thick and creamy. Scoop into bowls. Top with fruit, seeds and granola. Drizzle with the almond butter and serve right away.
Pina Colada Popsicles
Super delicious and so easy to make. If a beach vacation could fit on a stick, this would be it. Pineapple, coconut and pure bliss — no passport required
Serves 6
2 cups pineapple chunks
½ cup coconut milk
1 tablespoon maple syrup
Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour the mixture into popsicle molds, leaving a little space for them to expand. Insert the popsicle sticks and freeze overnight.
What's YOUR favorite summer recipe? Let us know in the comments below.
